Japan gives Dreamliner the green light

They've been grounded since January. Two separate battery incidents in Boston and western Japan put Boeing's 787 Dreamliner jets out of action. Now the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved a new lithium-ion battery system. The ruling paves the way for airlines to start flying with passengers again. In Japan, the country's transport minister gave the green light for the Dreamliner to fly again. (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) JAPANESE TRANSPORT MINISTER, AKIHIRO OTA SAYING: "We recognize there's no problem in the FAA's decision. Therefore, following the issuance of the 'airworthiness directive' by the FAA, the government will issue a notification of the directive to Japanese airline companies as early as tonight." It's good news for Japan Airlines and local rival All Nippon Airways, who own almost half of the 50 grounded Dreamliners. Boeing engineers have already begun installing the new reinforced batteries. And ANA - owners of 17 Dreamliners - said it hopes to have its entire fleet refitted by mid-May. U.S. investigators are still trying to find out what caused the batteries to overheat, emit smoke and in one instance catch fire. Industry officials and airlines which operate the Dreamliner expect it back in the air by May at the latest.

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